Newton's rings by reflection apparatus
Datemid 19th Century
Inventory Number1998-1-0407
ClassificationNewton's Rings
Subject
Maker
American
?
User
Department of Physics, Harvard University
founded 1884
Cultural Region
Dimensions4.5 × 9.5 × 9.5 cm (1 3/4 × 3 3/4 × 3 3/4 in.)
Material
DescriptionThe apparatus has two glass plates held in a circular brass frame by three screws with wing nuts. One plate is flat; the other convex. Below the glass plates there is dark fabric. The plates are mounted on a disk of wood.
Signedunsigned
Inscribedin black paint on base: 54
scratched on one side of each glass plate: Back
FunctionThis is apparatus for demonstrating Newton's rings by reflection. Tightening the screws alters the air space between the glass plates, causing interference of the reflected light.
Isaac Newton was the first to describe this experiment in his Opticks (1704).
Isaac Newton was the first to describe this experiment in his Opticks (1704).
Jean Baptiste François Soleil
Date: 1825-1870
Object number: 1998-1-1231
Jean Baptiste François Soleil
Date: 1840-1850
Object number: 1998-1-1228
Western Electric Company
Date: 1900-1930
Object number: RS0196
Zeiss-Aerotopograph
Date: circa 1950
Accessories: in wooden storage case with metal handles; documentation booklet is now kept in the instrument's file; all other accessories are kept in the box and are included in the description.
Object number: 2009-1-0002b
Sylvania
Date: late 19th-early 20th Century
Object number: RS0368
John A. Brashear
Date: 1916
Object number: 1998-1-1323
Richard W. Thomas
Date: circa 1861
Accessories: bottle and beaker (1998-1-1634a); hydrometer and manual (1998-1-1634b)
Object number: 1998-1-1634